Safety razor and blade therefor



April 25, 1939. 1 A. YOUNG ET Al.

SAFETY RAZOR AND BLADE THEREFOR FileduApril 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 25, 1939.` 5 L A, YOUNG ET AL 2,155,749

SAFETY RAZOR AND BLADE THEREFOR Filed April 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6U/70rd i foy/7g BY fain /7 /d /71 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Leonard A. Young and John M. Oldham, Detroit, Mich.; said Oldham assignor to said Young Application April 27, 1936, Serial No. 76,522

23 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a safety razor which is highly efcient and at the same time very economical in its parts, both as to the blade holder and the blade.

Second, to provide a safety razor in which the handle and head or holder may be quickly assembled or disassembled without the necessity for screw threaded parts or threaded openings.

Third, to provide a head or holder having blade retaining means and handle retaining means which may be formed as an integral sheet metal stamping.

Fourth, to provide a safety razor in which the blade is accurately positioned relative to the guards when mounted in the holder, the blade being automatically and properly positioned when inserted in the holder.

Fifth, to provide in a safety razor an improved blade which requires a relatively small amount of stocl and at the same time is rigid and does not spring or vibrate when in use.

Sixth, to provide in a safety razor an improved blade which may be very economically produced. Objects relating to detailsand economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and `pointed out in the claims.

Structures which are preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a safety razor embodying the features of our invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 3 is a section through the head or holder and blades on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the head, the blade being sectioned on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view with the head in `10 longitudinal section illustrating the manner of engaging and disengaging the handle from .the head.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled view of the blade holder and handle.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating one of the steps of manufacturing the preferred form of blade.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form .or embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View on line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail view with the head and blade in longitudinal section illustrating the-handle in releasing position in full lines and in clutching or 55 head engaging position by dotted lines.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the blade shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing another modification or embodiment of our invention. 5

Fig. 13 is `a fragmentary view partially in section showing still another iorm or embodiment of our invention.

In the .accompanying drawings, no attempt has been lmade to show the parts in proportion as the m drawings are illustrative drawings and not working drawings. fThe drawings do', however, fully show the vstructural details.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the head or blade holder 15 member I is of angled cross section or comprises side members disposed in an angular relation to yeach other, `the edges of the side members terminating in serrated or toothed guards 2. The side members have inward offsets 3 therein in spaced 20 relation to the guards providing a dovetailed channel 4 characterized by outwardly projecting lateral shoulders I4I, relatively restricted external portions |42, and an internal restricted longitudinal opening |43 beneath said shoulders.

'Ihe blade 5 is of angular Vcross section and it has insets 46 therein corresponding to the insets 3 Vof the holder and providing similar external shoulders and restricted portions to' those of the holder or head, these insets being preferably quite 30 close to the cutting edge of the blade.

'I'he holder of this embodiment illustrated is formed as a sheet metal stamping and the blade may be telescoped therewith with the inset portions vin retaining or locking engagement. 'Ihe 35 ,blade has a lip linger portion I struck up therefrom and a slight indentation 8 adapted to engage with a hole 9 vproviding a keeper receiving this indentation-like catch so that it is only necessary to telescope the blade upon the holder to eiectivelyretain the parts in assembled relation.

The U-shaped spring Lhandle I0 is detachably engageable within the channel Il of the head, the arms II of the handle terminating in out-turned ngers or lugs I2, the edges of the handle adja- 45 cent the lugs being notched at I3 to permit entrance of the lugs into the channel.

Inengaging the handle, the arms are collapsed .together which brings the lugs intoI substantial alignment as shown in Fig. 5 when they may be slipped into the channel with a longitudinal movement and upon releasing the arms, the spring of .the handle, swings the lugs into effective engage- .ment with ,'thehead.

This forms a verysimple 4and very economical 55 assembly of the parts, there being only threenamely, the head or holder, the handle, and the blade, and these parts can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

The blade may be formed of very light or thin stock and is effectively supported so that its edges cannot spring or chatter or vibrate in use.

The blade is not only stiffened by its angular shape but also by the offsets which are quite close to the cutting edges of the blade and further, the blade is in close fitting telescoping engagement with the holder.

The cutting edges of the blade are preferably beveled only at I4 on their inner edges so that the cutting edges of the blade are substantially in the planes of the outer sides of the blade. This is of decided advantage from the manufacturing standpoint.

In Fig. '7, I illustrate a grinding wheel I5 acting upon the partially finished blade. This grinding operation is performed before the blade is tempered and thereafter the blade is properly honed on both sides of `its cutting edge but this does not materially affect the bevel.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the holder or head member is provided with angularly disposed side members I'I having their outer portions folded backwardly upon themselves and lying in overlapping spaced relation to the inner portions of the side members to provide blade retaining members I8. The bight portions I9 resulting from this inturning of the side members are preferably cylindrically curved as clearly shown in the drawings and are longitudinally slotted `at 20, relatively narrow portions 2l being left at the ends of the slots. The bight portions I9 are inset sufficiently to provide a dovetailed channel 22 to receive the handle IU which is substantially as described in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to "1. The blade 23 is longitudinally telescoped or slipped longitudinally of the holder below the retaining members I8 and is effectively held therein with its cutting edges 24 in proper relation to the guard portion of the holder resulting from the infolding of the side members of the holder. 'I'he parts 2I serve as guards for the corners of the blade.

In the manufacture of these blades they are preferably formed of rolled stock, that is, stock reduced to iiat strips by rolling operations, which results in the stock having a skin portion of different grain than the inner portion. As the cutting edges of the blade are formed by beveling only from one side, preferably the inner side, the tough skin part of the blade constitutes the cutting edge, thereby greatly improving the quality of the blade. 'I'he blades may be formed of light stock and they are supported so that they do not vibrate or chatter.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 the holder 25, also preferably a stamping, has the edges of its side members turned inwardly toprovide blade retaining members 26, the bights being longitudinally slitted at 2l to expose the cutting edges of the blade and provide suitable guards therefor. In this instance the blade 28 of an angular cross section is slipped into the holder, being telescoped longitudinally thereof between the side members or holder and the retaining portions thereof, and the handle 29 is provided with a threaded stem 30 threaded into a hole 3| provided therefor in the holder. The blade in this instance has a hole 32 to receive the stem. This also provides an eifective support for the blade, the angular shape thereof being retained.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13 the side members 33 of the holder or head diverge downwardly and they have infolded portions 34 providing a suitable guard and support for the edges of the blade 35'. In this case an angular blade clamping member 36 is provided, the handle 31 having a threaded stem 38 arranged through a hole 39 in the holder and a hole 4l) in the blade to engage a threaded hole 4I in the blade clamping member. This provides an effective blade holding means but lacks the simplicity and economy of the other embodiments.

The parts of our razor, as stated, may be very economically produced and require a small amount of material. They can be very compactly arranged for packing either for shipment or for convenience in carrying. The blade, as stated, may be very thin and at the same time is shaped and supported so that it does not vibrate or chatter in use.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in certain embodiments which we consider very practical. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe various embodiments or adaptations thereof which we contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade holder of angled cross section, the side members of which terminate in guards and have inward offsets above the guards providing a dovetailed channel, a double edged blade of angular cross section having inward offsets in its arms corresponding to the inward offsets of the holder whereby the blade is adapted for telescoping engagement with the holder and is retained in position by such engagement with its edges in cooperating relation to the guards of the holder, and a U-shaped spring handle, the arms of which terminate in outwardly directed lugs, the edges of the handle adjacent the lugs being notched to receive the said inward offsets of the holder, the lugs being disposed so that they may be brought into position permitting their introduction into the channel when the arms of the handle are collapsed and' for clutching engagement within` the channel when the arms are released.

2. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade holder of angled cross section, the side membersv of which terminate in guards and have inward offsets above the guards providing a dovetailed channel, a double edged blade of angular cross section having inward offsets in its arms corresponding to the inward offsets of the holder whereby the blade is adapted for telescoping engagement with the holder and is retained in position by such engagement with its edges in lcooperating relation to the guards of the holder,

and a handle engageable in said channel.

3. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade` holder of angled cross section, the side members of which terminate in guards and have inward offsets above the guards providing a dovetailed channel, and a U-shaped spring handle, thel arms of which terminate in outwardly directed lugs, the edges of the handle adjacent the lugs being notched to receive the said inward offsets of the holder, the lugs being disposed so that they may be brought into position permitting their;V

introduction into the channel when the arms of the handle are collapsed and for clutching engagement within the channel when the arms are released.

4. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade holder of angled cross section, the side members of which terminate in guards and have inward oifsets above the guards providingV a dovetailed channel, and a U-shaped spring handle, the arms of which terminate in lugs disposed so that they may be brought into position permitting their introduction into the channel when the arms of the handle are collapsed and for clutching engagement within the channel when the arms are released.

5. In a safety razor, the combination of a head member having a dovetailed inwardly facing channel, and a U-shaped spring handle, the arms of which terminate in oppositely directed lugs, the edges of the arms adjacent the lugs being notched to permit the introduction of the lugs into the dovetailed channel when the arms of the handle are collapsed to bring the lugs into approximately aligned relation, the lugs having clutching engagement within the channel when the arms of the handle are released.

6. In a safety razor, the combination of a support comprising side members disposed in angular relation to each other and having inwardly directed oiset portions therein providing a blade receiving head having laterally projecting retaining shoulders, said side members outlining an inwardly facing dovetailed channel, a blade of angular cross section having inwardly directed offset portions in its arms providing lateral shoulders corresponding to the shoulders of the head and of such dimensions as to telescopically embrace said head with the shoulders of the head and blade in retaining engagement, and a handle having clutching engagement within the channel of said head.

'7. In a safety razor, the combination of a support comprising side members disposed in angular relation to each other and having inwardly directed oifset portions therein providing a blade receiving head, said side members outlining an inwardly facing dovetailed channel, a blade telescopingly engaging the exterior of said head, and a handle having clutching engagement within the channel of said head.

8. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade holder of angled cross section, the side members of which terminate in guards on opposite sides of the center of the holder and have inward offsets providing laterally projecting longitudinal shoulders above the guards, and a double edged blade of angular cross section having inward offsets providing laterally projecting shoulders in its arms corresponding to the shoulders of the holder whereby the blade is adapted for responding to the shoulders of the head and of such dimensions as to telescopically embrace said head with the shoulders of the blade and head in retaining engagement.

10. A double edged razor blade of angular cross section having inward oisets in its arms providing a dovetailed channel section for the blade, the cutting edges of the blade being beveled on their inner sides only providing cutting edges substantially in the planes of the outer sides of the blade.

11. A double edged razor blade of angular cross section having inward offsets in its arms providing a dovetailed channel section for the blade.

12. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising side members disposed in angular relation to each other and having their outer portions folded backwardly upon themselves and lying in overlapping spaced relation to the inner portions of the side members to receive a blade between them, the bight portions being cylindrically curved and having longitudinal slots in the outer sides thereof with narrow portions at the ends of the slots, the said curved bight portions being inset inwardly providing a dovetailed inwardly facing channel, a blade of angular cross section slidably engageable with said head, and a handle detachably engageable within the said channel of the head.

13. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising side members disposed in angular relation to each other and having their f outer portions folded backwardly upon themselves and lying in overlapping spaced relation to the inner portions of the side members to receive a blade between them, the bight portions having longitudinal slots within the same.

14. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising side members disposed in angular relation to each other and having their edge portions folded backwardly upon themselves and lying in overlapping spaced relation to the inner portions of the side members to receive a blade between them, the bight portions being curved and having longitudinal slots therein, and a blade of angular cross section slidably engageable with said head, the cutting edges of the blade being beveled on their inner sides only providing cutting edges substantially in the planes of the outer sides of the blade. l5. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising angularly disposed side members having longitudinally slotted cylindrically curved portions providing blade retaining members and guards, and a blade of angular cross section slidable into said head below said blade retaining members, the cutting edges of the blade being beveled on their inner sides, the outer sides` of the cutting edges being in substantially the plane of the outer sides of the blade.

16. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising angularly disposed side members having longitudinally slotted cylindrically curved portions providing blade retaining members and guards, and a blade of angular cross section slidable into said head below said blade retaining members.

17. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising side members disposed at an angle to each other and having infolded outer portions longitudinally slotted at the bights thereof, the infolded portions constituting blade holder members, and a blade of angular cross section mounted in said head in supporting engagement with said holder members and with its cutting edges inoperative relation to said slot openings, said blade being beveled on its inner side only providing cutting edges substantially in the plane of the outer sides of the blade.

18. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising side members disposed at an angle to each other and each having an infolded outer portion longitudinally slotted at the bight thereof, the infolded portions constituting blade holder member, and a blade of angular cross section mounted in said head in supporting engagement with said holder member, said infolded portions terminating adjacent one another on opposite sides of the apex of the angle of said blade.

19. In a safety razor, the combination of a head of angle cross section and having infolded edge portions constituting guards and blade retaining members, and an angled blade mounted in said head with its edges in operative relation to said guards, said infolded portions terminating adjacent one another on opposite sides of the apex of the angle of said blade.

20. In a safety razor, the combination of a head of angle cross section having integral blade retaining members, and a blade of angular cross section having a plurality of cutting edges operatively mounted in said head in retaining engagement with said retaining members, said blade retaining members being infolded relative to the blade and terminating on opposite sides of the apex of the angle thereof.

21. In a safety razor, the combination of a head comprising angularly disposed side members having their outer edges folded upon themselves to provide blade retaining members and guards, and a blade of angular cross section mounted in said head in supporting engagement with said retaining members and its cutting edge in operative relation to said guards, said outer edges terminating in mutually facing relation on opposite sides of the apex of the angle of said blade.

22. In a safety razor, a support for a twoedged angular blade, said support having diverging sides and inwardly offset blade retaining portions thereon forming a channel, said support exposing both edges of the blade for use, and a handle releasably secured in said channel between said respective sides and portions and held in operative position by engagement thereof with said positions.

23. In a safety razor, a support having a pair of laterally projecting retaining shoulders, and an angular blade having a pair of outwardly divergent arms provided with mutually convergent inward offsets engageable respectively behind said shoulders to retain said blade on said head, the engagement of said offsets with said shoulders constituting the sole means for preventing inadvertent displacement of said blade from said support.

LEONARD A. YOUNG. JOHN M. OLDHAM. 

